Food. Family. Fun

Food News Week of June 7-13th

Berries are Back!

The berry season in Maryland is short but sweet—it begins mid-June and ends in early July. Two years ago I revealed my favorite blueberry picking spot to readers—Bonnie’s Berries, a humble, inconspicuous patch off Route 214 near the PG/AA County line. I was hesitant to share my secret because I didn’t want the masses to ruin my little piece of blueberry heaven. My appreciation for hard working farmers far exceeds my greed though, and I am hopeful you all will turn out to support one of the only pesticide/herbicide-free, U-Pick blueberry farms in our area.

Bonnie’s Berries will open for the season Saturday, June 13th from 7 AM to 10 AM. Travis Harrigan, who owns the farm with his wife Sarah and her family, says the berry season usually starts out busy but that pickers tend to slow down just as the berries reach their peak around the 4th of July. Plan accordingly and strategically!

ding! ding! ding! Find of the Week!

The Citrus Madeleine’s at Whole Foods Market are so delicious I swear I won’t be able to go near them again without a muzzle. A traditional petite madeleine is a small cake rather like a sponge cake, but lighter, a bit nutty from the inclusion of finely ground almonds and bright from a dash of lemon zest in the batter. The cakes are baked in a pan with a special mold in the shape of a small shell. When made well, a madeleine has the very slightest crumb of a crust and a tender interior. Sometimes madeleines are flavored, or coated with coconut or chocolate, which I find a bit over-the-top.

courtesy photo.

The Whole Foods version is simple, a classic recipe lightly coated in a sugar glaze. It didn’t have a perfect madeleine shape, I admit. The lines of the shell weren’t well-marked. But it did have the characteristic round topside and a heartbreakingly delicate bite. This little sweet is so addictive that I want to throw a tea party or luncheon or baby shower or book club meeting just so I have the excuse of buying them by the dozen. You can find them in the Cookies-by-the-Pound display near the bakery department.

Neois the new gourmet pizzeria at Annapolis Towne Center in Parole. Located near the Target parking garage, the restaurant features artisan pizzas and craft beers, as well as a selection of delicious appetizers.

Although Neo has been open for a few weeks, they will host a grand opening event on Saturday, June 13th and Sunday, June 14th, from 11 AM to 11 PM with crazy fun like:

A special appearance from the Neo racecar (Sat)

Kids get to make their own pizza from 2-4 PM (Sat & Sun)

Enter to win a pizza a week for a year – entry forms available at Neo.

Bring your pizza recipe for a chance to have a specialty pizza named after you.

First 100 parties get a FREE 10 inch cheese pizza for the next visit.

Drink specials- $5 craft beer flights & $5 crushes

Domestic bucket $10, Import/Craft bucket $15, Mix and match any 4

The restaurant is also offering specials for the town center’s summer concert series, held Friday nights through Labor Day. The Brady Bunch features a 14” cheese pizza with 2 adult and 2 kid drinks for $14. The Odd Couple includes a 10” pizza with 2 drinks for $7.

Lures will host their first multi-course Beer Dinner on Tuesday, June 23rd at 6 PM. Lures is well known for an extensive and creative beer list, as well as for great seafood and killer burgers. This dinner will feature craft beers like: Bell’s, Jailbreak, Anderson Valley, Ballast Point, Brasserie de Silly. Tickets are $50, including tip). You can view the menu and buy tickets at http://luresbeerdinner.eventbrite.com

Belgian Boudin Peirogie??

Rogue Pierogies is the brainchild of a local mom-entrepreneur who found she has a real knack for stuffing little purses of dough with awesome flavors you can’t put down. I’ve served Rogue Peirogies a dozen different ways, including straight from the microwave and over a paper towel as a midnight snack. My children love them too; they make a perfect light meal for when my kids come home from school starving. This week the company debuted a new flavor: The Rogue Boudin. It is stuffed with ground pork and rice, herbs and spices. The Boudin joins other flavors like Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese, Potato and Cheese Crab and my personal favorite, The Chickpea Circus. You can find Rogue Peirogies at the Anne Arundel County Farmer’s Market on Sundays, at the Kent Island Farmer’s Market on Thursdays, at Bear’s Honeypot in Severna Park and online 24/7.

Free Granola!

The Granola Factory is a small artisan business based in Bethlehem, PA, that sells their popular products at several shops in Anne Arundel County. They have a great blog called “oats n’ notes” that features healthy recipes I am always inspired to try. They recently started a promotion to showcase their work: make any of the recipes featured on oats n’ notes; take a photo and post it to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #granolafactory or has @granolafactory and they will send you a free granola variety pack. This is a great promotion simply for making something tasty. Try the Whole Wheat Pizza with Shiitake Mushrooms or the Seared Scallops and tag me @foragingforflavor so I can see how you do!

Seasonal, Local Veggies with Lots of Flavor

Cleo’s Fine Oils and Vinegars will showcase how healthy oils & vinegars can transform local seasonal produce into a different taste each night. Saleta Cameron, co-owner with her sister of Cleo’s, says she loves to show people how healthy olive oils and vinegars can work with locally grown produce to add taste variety to everyday menus. She likes asparagus roasted in Agrumato Lemon Olive Oil; salad greens with White Reserved Balsamic; and tomatoes with Antica Caroli Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

The public is invited to a free tasting event Thursday, June 18, from 5-7 pm, at Cleo’s in the Annapolis Towne Centre. Guests will enjoy complimentary wine and samples of locally grown fruits and vegetables prepared using healthy oils and vinegars. Information will also be available on how home cooks can make the most of seasonal produce with a variety of tastes. Also that evening, guests will receive 20% off of any oil or vinegar purchase.

Ice Cream Apprentice Chef

Now there is a job I could wrap my head (and my hands..and my mouth) around! Annapolis Ice Cream Company in downtown Annapolis is looking toward the busy summer months and an expansion into the Westfield Annapolis mall. They are looking for an ice cream “perfectionist” who can help them make “the Best Store Made Ice Cream Anywhere”. This position is for someone with a positive attitude, attention to detail and cleanliness. The candidate will study under an experienced Master Chef. Apply at www.snagajob.com or in person at either of the shop’s locations.

The Art of the Grill

BRIO Tuscan Grille at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and also the Annapolis Towne Centre are showcasing their grilling expertise with “The Art of Grilling – Mastered by Chefs at BRIO” promotion, giveaways and succulent recipe postings.

From June 1–30, Sunday–Thursday after 4 p.m., BRIO will present “The Art of Grilling” three-course dinner special, including a choice of salad, grilled entrée with chef-inspired toppings and a Dolchino dessert for $26.95.

BRIO fans who post their favorite grilling recipe or dish will be entered in a chance to win a chef-inspired “Gather & Grill Dinner Party for 8” at their favorite BRIO location. To enter, go to www.facebook.com/brioitalian.

Fans of BRIO can share photos of a BRIO-style dish made at home at www.instagram.com/briotuscangrille to win a box of premium cut filets and strip steaks along with a new grill.

A Little Birdie…

told me that Gavin Buckley and partner Jody Danek (owners of Tsunami, Lemongrass and Metropolitan Kitchen) are up to something again on West Street. Recently back from a year in Australia, the team apparently has oysters and seafaring on the mind. They must have been homesick for the Chesapeake! Welcome home guys, can’t wait to see what you are stirring up this time!

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Meet Diana

I live on the East Coast, but I am a West Coast girl at heart! My family is full of crazy, wild women who live life to the fullest, and I am proud to follow in their footsteps. Did I mention I love to travel? We never sit for too long and are eager to share with you all we know about our adventures. We are always on the hunt for cool, hip artisans and entrepreneurs who like to share their fresh, local ideas and products. Join me to forage for a more flavorful life! Read More…

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